Treatment Procedures for Drug Addiction

April 6, 2015

Treatment Procedures for Drug Addiction: Heroin and Other Opiates

Treatment Procedures for Drug Addiction will eventually make you have an addiction free life.

The problem of drug addiction has stolen the dignity of our societies and we are all in one way or another affected or infected by this problem. Most societies are ruin by the use of drugs and families have not known peace because a member is an addict of a given drug. Heroin has become one of the most abused drugs thanks to its easy accessibility and affordability. The enormity of this problem is getting out of hand and prisons blocks alone are not enough to offer the much need solution. Even though this problem is of this magnitude, the good news is that it is treatable. There are very good treatment procedures for drug addiction today and that is going to be our point of focus in this discussion. We spoke to doctor Dalal Akoury who is the MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and she will be helping us understand the treatment procedures available.

Doctor Akoury says that this problem of drug addiction is a treatable disorder. Prevention would have been the best option but because it is already with us we are going to look at the mechanisms of treating this disorder and consider prevention in the next article. Now because of many different conditions in drug addiction, it is important that the specific treatment must be tailored to suits the individual’s needs. This is necessary because many drug addicts have a compound of other problems that hinders proper treatment like mental health, occupational, health, or social problems.

Treatment Procedures for Drug Addiction: Types of Treatments for Patients

The success of this campaign would be realized when treatment procedures for drug addiction is adhered to. And treatments often include behavioral therapy, mediations and sometimes a combination of both. The most important thing is that when patients are duly treated for their addiction, they will be able to have some control over their lives and be productive to the society. That is why all over the world the campaign is to have as many people as possible for treatment. Therefore if you or anyone you know is suffering from any form of addiction, then you can be of help to them by scheduling for an appointment with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury today and you will have your life back in the most professional and dignified way.

One of the biggest hindrances to treatment is that many addicted people often make an assumption that they can quit using drugs all by themselves without treatment. Actually many have tried but they have failed consistently resulting in long term abstinence. And that is why according to the NIDA Research has shown that long-term drug use results in significant changes in brain function that persist long after the individual stops using drugs. These drug-induced changes in brain function may have many behavioral consequences, including the compulsion to use drugs despite adverse consequences which is the defining characteristic of addiction. And that is why achieving abstinence without treatment is so difficult if not impossible.

Treatment Procedures for Drug Addiction: Mechanisms Essential for a Successful Treatment

Recognition – For any meaningful treatment to yield results, the victim must first come to the point of recognizing and accepting that they have a problem which needs to be fixed. Denial is one of the greatest impediments when it comes to drug abuse treatment. Anyone in denial will not seek for help even if that help is presented to them by their concerned relatives. In many cases patients who are in denial will consent to treatment not because they have accepted but out of pressure from their loved ones

Detoxification – Treatment begins with detoxification, which is the gradual withdrawal of an abused substance under a controlled environment. In some cases a drug that is similar to the abused drug (e.g. methadone for heroin) is substituted during withdrawal to lessen the miserable symptoms and health risks associated with the withdrawal process. Depending on the drug that the person is addicted to, the withdrawal process can be handled through either an inpatient or an outpatient basis.

Rehabilitation – This is necessary to prevent the recurrence of drug abuse. Rehabilitation involved behavioral therapies such as counseling, psychotherapy, support groups, or family therapy. Behavior therapy helps people to cope with their drug cravings and it teaches them ways to avoid drugs, prevent relapse, and what to do if a relapse occurs. It has been established that merging a behavior therapy program with treatment medications, such as methadone, helps to suppress the withdrawal syndrome, the drug craving, and in blocking the effects of other drugs (caffeine). Studies have shown that using methadone at adequate dosage levels in treating heroin addiction along with behavioral therapies reduces death rates and many health problems.

Abstinence – Following rehabilitation, the abuser must have a lifelong abstinence from drug abuse. Relapses from this drug abstinence may occur and lead to recurrent dependence.

Treatment Procedures for Drug Addiction: Types of Treatment Methods

The treatment program duration could either be short term or long term depending on the patient’s condition.

Short-term methods – last less than 6 months, include residential therapy, medication therapy, and drug free outpatient therapy
Long-term methods – may include medication therapy such as methadone maintenance outpatient treatment for opiate addicts and residential therapeutic treatment

Outpatient and Inpatient

Outpatient drug free treatment– does not include medication and encompasses a wide variety of programs for patients that visit a clinic at regular intervals. It actually involves individual or group counseling. Normally patients registering for this type of program do not abuse opiates, or are opiate abusers for whom maintenance therapy is needed. Generally these patients have stable lives and only brief histories of drug dependence
Therapeutic Communities – highly structured communities where patients stay for 6-12 months. Patients generally have long histories of drug dependence, involvement in serious criminal activities, and seriously impaired social functioning. This type of program focuses on the re-socialization of the patient to a drug free and crime free lifestyle.
Short-term residential programs – chemical dependency units,” based on the “Minnesota Model” of treatment for alcoholism. Involve 3- to 6-week inpatient treatment phase followed by an extended outpatient therapy in a 12-step self-help group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous.

Finally doctor Akoury recommends that if you are able to avoid using drugs the better. Treatment is more tasking than preventing which is the most ideal for good health. It would be the best thing you can do for yourself and to the whole society. But you are un able to all is not lost you can still get help from the experts up on scheduling for an appointment with doctor Akoury today.

Treatment Procedures for Drug Addiction: Heroin and Other Opiates

Heroin Addiction and Cost of treatment

April 4, 2015

Heroin Addiction and Cost of treatment: The Economic constrains

Heroin Addiction and Cost of treatment. the cost may be high but treatment must still be done and proper follow up done to recovering patients.

Are you surprised that the addiction on heroine is ever on the increase? We spoke to doctor Dalal Akoury a renowned addiction medical expert who is the MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center about this and she is going to help us in understanding some of the concerns we have about heroin addiction and cost of treatment. She begins by noting that heroin addiction has experienced rebirth in recent years. This is alluded to the fact that this drug has become easily accessible and affordable to many people. Besides that its close similarity to some prescription opioids is not helping in solving the problem. Blended from morphine, the drug takes literally no time at all to catch the consumers in an addictive circle in which they basically play Russian roulette with their lives. Even though the US is one of the states hosting the largest concentrations of heroin addicts globally, it is estimate that some many nations across the globe are over equally experiencing a great effect of heroin addiction. In brief “the problem is now a global one and time has come when we all need to pool together to help where we can” says doctor Akoury.

Heroin is often mixed or “cut” with other ordinarily benign substances, although heroin abuse in its purest form is becoming increasingly common. It is not uncommon for users to graduate to heroin from other drugs. They will start taking heroin and experience immediate euphoria. Use will continue in an effort to experience that same feeling. Since the feeling is rarely emulated, users up their dose. Before they know it, they’re addicted and caught in a dangerous and costly pattern of behavior.

Heroin Addiction and Cost of treatment: The process of Heroin intake

Ordinarily heroin can be injected, smoked, or snorted. Even though majority of the users prefer it, being injected due to the instant or rapid results. This method of injection has been associated with other dangerous infections owing to the use of untidy syringes. Like for instance this method has been closely linked to the contraction of HIV from shared needles among the escalating number of users. It is however regrettable that very little or no attention is paid to sterility, and the user sometimes gets infected without realizing it until when it is too little too late. At the point of realization, the impact of the damage is so severe that very little can be done to remedy the situation. Doctor Akoury advices that heroin addicts should be treated first from both their addiction and any other complications that may have come with this condition before they are charged in the court of law.

Heroin Addiction and Cost of treatment: Physical and Mental Effects of Heroin Addiction

Irrespective of the usage method one uses to take in heroin, the effects are very bad. With every admission of heroin into the body, the user is automatically and significantly increasing their chances of contracting chronic health complications including heart failure, respiratory failure, bacterial infections, brain damage, and a variety of other deadly conditions. Besides these the addicts are also likely to suffer from other symptoms like blood pressure complications, coma, convulsions, seizures, muscle spasms, weak pulse, etc. in other words there is nothing good in taking heroin let alone being addicted to it. Just to show you that there is nothing good in this drug listen to this, those abusing this drug will also experience significant risks of psychological nature which are associated with heroin addiction.

The experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are working round the clock to bring some serenity to the addicts and if you or anyone you know is struggling with this addiction, then you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury or be the point of reference for your friends and together we will make enormous progress in healing the world of this addictive drug. In the meantime, it will interest you to know that at this facility we offer psychiatric therapy whenever it is recommended to patients but even before we get there, the most important thing is that you need to be willing to be helped for all the treatment procedures to work. Being in denial is the biggest hindrance of breakthrough in heroin addiction recovery.

Heroin Addiction and Cost of treatment: The Best Way to Achieve Lasting Recovery from Heroin Addiction

Freedom from heroin addiction often comes at a very high price. This is called the withdrawal process. Just like we have indicate, attempting to detox your-self or go cold turkey from a heroin addiction can have fatal results such as heart attack, stroke, seizures, coma, or death. It is therefore necessary that patients seek for help from a licensed medical detox center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) to begin healing from heroin addiction. The National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Center (NASAIC) maintains a continuously updated national database of heroin addiction treatment centers in your local area, as well as the leading recommended heroin addiction treatment centers in the United States and around the world. You now have a wide pool to choose from but be courteous to go for only the best for the best result.

Heroin Addiction and Cost of treatment: Low Cost Drug Rehab

The economical constrain is one of the most common impediments to addiction treatment; nevertheless, there are many low cost options of what people can take advantage. Everyone, regardless of their financial status, needs professional help for their drug addiction. This avenue of treatment makes it possible. It is regrettable that on annual basis many become casualties of their addiction because they don’t have the resources to get the much needed to overcome their drug addiction. The matter is even complicated with the sale of or distribution of drugs to many lower-income areas, where many people only started using drugs to try and escape the depressing realities of their environments. Statistically the vicious cycle of poverty and addiction is always largest in the large urban centers of most states. We appreciate what the many governments are doing to supplement for those who do not have insurance or money, majority of these programs often luck sufficient funding’s to hire the best medical staff, and are missing critical components of traditional therapy. Probably that could be the reason why we are seeing so many patients translates relapsing in relation to the better-funded, privately owned drug rehab facilities. Doctor Akoury says that irrespective of your financial position, your life is very important and total recovery is possible if you are determined for it. You can talk to her for any concern you have and she will be able to help you accordingly.

Heroin Addiction and Cost of treatment: The Economic constrains

Sulfur the less talk about Nutrient

March 26, 2015

Sulfur the less talk about Nutrient: How important it can be

Sulfur the less talk about Nutrient has become one of the best solution for maintaining good health

It is amazing how good and important things can easily be forgotten about. We are costumed to forgetting or rather ignoring even things that are very essential to our good health and well-being. Before we get into the discussion of sulfur the less talk about nutrient, let me illustrate to us using tobacco smoking as one of those very harmful things to human health yet people are still very much into their usage. Despite the public awareness of the dangers of cigarette smoking and even the scary advert accompanying the packaging smokers are so much addicted to this harmful drug and smoke their life out of it. Now despite the knowledge we have about the importance of sulfur, this very important piece of nutrient is largely forgotten. I may not know what you are saying about this nutrient but the truth is that sulfur the less talk about nutrient is very essential. Sulfur is primarily responsible for the maintenance of health and even prevention of chronic illnesses such as Metabolic Syndrome. We (experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) once stated that prevention is better than cure, does this sound important to you? I guess it is because of the financial burden it will offload off your back. Nonetheless what is worrying is that despite its importance it very shocking to note that a Minimum Daily Requirement (MDR) to avoid sulfur deficiency does not even exists even though this mineral is the eighth most common element by mass in the human body.

Sulfur the less talk about Nutrient: What makes nations with High Sulfur Intake to be very healthy?

Let us now look at the impact of sulfur in our societies and particularly in a wider perspective of nations. It has been established that some of the major world suppliers of sulfur like Greece, Italy and Japan enjoy some of the lowest rates of heart disease, obesity and increased longevity on the surface of the earth. And do you know why? Keep reading. For instance let us consider Icelanders remarkably low rates of depression, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease can possibly be attributed to the line of volcanoes that formed that island nation and whose eruptions periodically blanket the soil with sulfur containing volcanic rock.

Initially it was believed that the Icelandic diet was so protective against chronic illness due to a high intake of fish. Nonetheless this school of thought is still a subject of discussion. However, as for those Icelanders who migrated to Canada and continued with their habit of eating a lot of fish it was found out that they ceased from enjoying the same low rates of disease. Why? It appeared that the Icelandic soil which is unusually rich in sulfur may indeed play a pivotal role in the health and avoidance of sulfur deficiency of its residents. This is amazing indeed; it therefore explains why sulfur the less talk about nutrient should be re-looked into, if we want to be free from certain chronic complications.

Sulfur the less talk about Nutrient: Sulfur’s Critical Role in the Body

Sulphur is very essential to many of the body’s biological processes, and metabolism is inclusive. Remember that without adequate sulfur, glucose metabolism becomes defective and muscle and fat cells are damaged as the result of becoming glucose intolerant. This is how sulfur deficiency can lead to all manner of skeletal and muscle disorders with corresponding pain and inflammation.

This impaired glucose metabolism resulting from insufficient sulfur is also implicated as a factor in obesity and the dangerous condition known as Metabolic Syndrome because one way the body compensates for defective glucose metabolism is by gaining weight. Therefore when sulfur deficiency occurs within the context of a low fat diet, the problem becomes more severe allowing more sources of glucose present in a low fat diet in the form of carbohydrates to be converted into fat and even worse released into the bloodstream as triglycerides as fuel for the damaged and inflamed muscle cells.

Sulfur the less talk about Nutrient: Alzheimer’s disease and Sulfur Deficiency?

Experts while analyzing minerals present in the cells of the typical Alzheimer’s patient it was established that sulfur is almost nonexistent compared with a normal profile. Besides that some research findings has indicated that reversal of this deficiency state cannot only prevent or halt the progression of this horrible disease but even reverse it provided the patient is still in the early stages where little brain damage has occurred. This now leave many to wonder and probably you are too that could the skyrocketing cases of Alzheimer’s in recent years be related to the shunning of eggs, a very good source of sulfur, by older Americans and beyond?

Sulfur the less talk about Nutrient: Sulfur Helps Mobilize Vitamin D from the Sun

When unprotected skin is exposed to the sun, the skin synthesizes vitamin D3 sulfate. While vitamin D is normally considered fat soluble, vitamin D3 sulfate is a form of the vitamin that is actually water soluble. This allows this type of vitamin D to travel freely in the blood stream. On a side note, the vitamin D3 in supplements is not the same vitamin D3 as what you get from the sun and should not be considered an adequate substitute. And remember that when the skin is exposed to sunlight it will produce large amounts of cholesterol sulfate. The sun, then, has the potential to provide sulfur to the body in the form of vitamin D3 sulfate and cholesterol sulfate.

Sulfur the less talk about Nutrient: Make Sure You Get Enough to Avoid Sulfur Deficiency!

In conclusion doctor Akoury note that even though sulfur is basically ignored in nutritional circles, it is nonetheless a critical nutrient and one that is necessary for vibrant health and prevention of chronic health complications. She advises that despite sulfur nutrient being ignored, it is very essential and must never be insufficient in supply. Therefore the simplest way of obtaining sufficiency of sulfur is by getting frequent midday sunlight without the sunscreen. In doing this, it is important that the dose of sunlight must be friendly to the skin and with a non-burning effect.

Besides the non-burning sunlight, feeding more on eggs which is rich in sulfur than many plant foods such as onions, garlic, and cabbage whose sulfur contents is likely to be low unless the plants are grown in sulfur rich soil. It therefore means that not unless your produce comes from Iceland, relying on eggs for adequate sulfur is the decidedly better way to go.

Sulfur the less talk about Nutrient: How important it can be

The crucial role of Sulfur in health and glutathione

March 25, 2015

The crucial role of Sulfur in health and glutathione: Understanding the effectiveness of sulfur

The crucial role of Sulfur in health and glutathione must be taught across the board. indication of low sulfer include depression and fatigue.

In our daily effort in ensuring that our body is duly protected from the various attacks of the environment and other sources, the application of sulfur becomes very important. We all have a duty to keep healthy and that is why discussion about the crucial role of sulfur in health and glutathione becomes necessary. To start us off doctor Dalal Akoury a medical professional and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center brings us up to speed about certain benefits of sulfur. She says that sulfur plays an important role in the formation of proteins. These protein chains are held together by peptide (disulfide) bonds provided by sulfur amino acid cysteine. And because our bodies are held together with proteins in all the connective tissues, without sulfur we would literally turn into a splash of cells and spread over the floor. Not forgetting that enzymes which are proteins are charged with the regulation and enhancement of most biochemical processes in our bodies but for this to be done effectively, the supply of sulfur is very necessary that will also include the glutathione enzymes.

The crucial nature of sulfur is that it enables the collagen which is the main constituent of cartilage that keeps our joints working properly.

Sulfur is the main constituent of protein keratin that our hair, nails and skin are made of. Sulfur is what gives them their shape, flexibility and strength.

As for the beauty of the skin, sulfur is responsible for keeping the skin cells flexible and permeable, thereby enabling our skin to serve certain roles of the kidneys as many toxins exit the body with sweat.

Sulfur is one of the raw materials, alongside amino acids and vitamins, necessary to create healthy new cells with flexible walls. This flexibility allows fluids to flow freely through the tissues in response to changes in atmospheric pressure. This reduces cell inflammation and pain sensations.

Sulfur is a component of insulin. A diet rich in sulfur containing foods may enhance the body’s ability to produce insulin and lower the dependency on injections in diabetic patients.

Sulfur and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) promote healthy digestive function by boosting digestive enzyme activity, building healthy lining tissue and promoting bowel activity.

Protein is the main structural component of myelin sheaths, the protective layer covering the nerves. Insufficient sulfur may cause demyelination to occur, especially in the presence of elevated oxidative stress or exposure to toxins that may trigger the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and peripheral neuropathy.

Sulfur is a component of vitamins B1 (thiamin), B5 (pantothenic acid that converts to coenzyme A) and B7 (biotin) required for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and glucose.

Sulfur is required for manufacturing of alpha lipoic acid in the body, an important antioxidant and a glutathione cofactor that has been shown to elevate glutathione levels.

MSM, an endogenous cellular metabolite that acts as sulfur donor in many trans-methylation reactions, is also able to act as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger.

And last but not least – sulfur is a critically active component in the reduced (active) form of a glutathione molecule (GSH). Sulfur sulfhydryl group is represented by “SH” in the common abbreviation for glutathione (GSH). It is the sulfur containing amino acid cysteine, the most crucial building block for glutathione that contributes sulfur to it. At low levels of intake cysteine is preferentially incorporated into proteins rather than glutathione. Thus, the availability of cysteine determines how much glutathione and how fast a cell can produce in response to a threat.

Sulfur is also what is responsible for glutathione’s antioxidant and detoxifying powers – free radicals, toxins, heavy metals, etc. “stick” to sulfur to be eliminated from the body.

Organic sulfur as sulfur containing amino acids can also increase the
synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in the body. SAMe is a form of methionine partially converted to cysteine that cells can use in the synthesis of glutathione. Synthetic SAMe is also a pharmaceutical drug that is used in the treatment of liver diseases and in Europe as a mood stabilizing medication.

The crucial role of Sulfur in health and glutathione: Methylsulfonylmethane

It was reported that MSM may also be used as a precursor for the synthesis of methionine and cysteine, and act as a source of sulfur which may induce new GSH synthesis. Methyl Sulfonyl Methane, better known as MSM, is a naturally occurring sulphur compound that may play a role in the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), one of the most important intracellular antioxidants, through its transulfuration pathway.

As we continue into the discussion, it is important to note that sulfur amino acid insufficiency compromises glutathione synthesis, to a greater extent than hepatic protein synthesis, in the presence and absence of an inflammatory stimulus. The resulting effect may be compromised antioxidant defenses. Functioning of T cells is dependent on intracellular glutathione concentrations and may also be affected by sulfur amino acid insufficiency. And finally on this is that part of MSM’s action is to improve your body’s ability to make its own antioxidants.

The crucial role of Sulfur in health and glutathione: Who may benefit from taking MSM supplement?

Vegetarians and vegans may be at high risk of sulfur deficiencies because of the lack of sulfur-rich animal foods in their diet and the normal processing of plant foods that destroys MSM, although cysteine and methionine are present in some plants. Those who favor these eating styles may benefit from taking MSM supplement.

People who do not consume sufficient amounts of sulfur rich foods and eat mostly processed foods will benefit from taking supplemental MSM.

MSM supplement may be beneficial to those on a protein restricted diet, for example due to kidney disease.

MSM has been used extensively to relieve arthritic pain, joint pain, back pain, migraines, skin conditions, allergies, autoimmune diseases, digestive issues, and to promote the healing of burns and scars. It may be beneficial for people with these health conditions.

Athletes, both professional and amateur, may find MSM supplement helpful in the process of healing sports related joint injuries and for faster recovery. Research also indicates that insufficient intakes of sulfur amino acids during training may promote inflammation.

MSM supplement may help maintain glutathione levels by improving alpha lipoic acid levels, by helping decrease inflammation and oxidative stress, by participating in the metabolism of cysteine and methionine, and by contributing the continuous supply of sulfur for many vital processes in the body. This supplement may be useful to those interested in optimizing their glutathione levels.

The crucial role of Sulfur in health and glutathione: Dosages for the MSM supplement

Finally for a typical maintenance dose of supplemental MSM is 1,000-3,000 mg a day. However the MSM supplements will always come in capsules and in powder form, the latter being more cost-efficient for larger doses. The effectiveness of a dose depends on the severity of a condition and the length of time the MSM supplement is taken. It may take up to 2 months of daily use to notice any health benefits. For further needs you may want to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury today.

The crucial role of Sulfur in health and glutathione: Understanding the effectiveness of sulfur

Identifying the Right Osteoporosis Medication

March 23, 2015

Identifying the Right Osteoporosis Medication: The best medicine for Osteoporosis to consider

Identifying the Right Osteoporosis Medication and taking then appropriately

A lot of discoveries have been done over the past few decades in making effort to finding lasting solutions for osteoporosis complications. These have led to the market being rich in several of options for medications which can be confusing sometimes. It is because of these that we want to discourse the best modalities of identifying the right osteoporosis medications for patients. Even as you consider settling for certain medications, doctor Akoury advices that in that medication, you must ensure that you are getting enough supply of calcium and vitamin D. Remember that vitamin D is now officially being reorganize as key player in osteoporosis. It must be appreciated that the supply of these two elements must not be compromised and that would mean that for guaranteed sufficiency a prescription for vitamin D may become necessary. These supplements must be taken continually even when you are on osteoporosis medicines. Like for instance a postmenopausal woman will require 1,500 milligrams calcium daily, plus 1,000 units of vitamin D. Some need prescription-strength vitamin D (Calcitriol). This deficiency is a serious problem.

Besides that weight bearing exercise would be very important with total elimination of smoking and alcohol nevertheless, if you have to drink, then it must be moderate. Doctor Akoury further advices that you must be in constant consultation with your doctor about getting a bone re-sorption marker test that is either blood or urine test. This will actually help you identify whether your osteoporosis medicine is having an effect on bone loss or not. The first test should target your baseline and it should be done before you start the medication. Then get it checked after you’ve taken the drug for a few months to see the change. There are about six main types of osteoporosis medicine which we want to discuss their merits and in the merits. However for the purpose of this article, we are going to discuss only one (bisphosphonates) and the remaining in the next article. We want to therefore invite you to keep on the link for more information about osteoporosis medications.

Identifying the Right Osteoporosis Medication: Bisphosphonates, Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Zoledronic Acid (Reclast or Zometa)

Bisphosphonates are the backbones family of osteoporosis medicines today. They’re the workhorses of osteoporosis treatment. They are often the favorite because they offer a number of options for patients under treatment. However Fosamax was the first FDA-approved osteoporosis medicine just a decade ago and consequently the approval of followed by Actonel three years later. Boniva and Reclast are the most recent FDA approvals.

Identifying the Right Osteoporosis Medication: What They Do

All these drugs have been shown to increase bone density and Fosamax and Actonel lower the risk of spine and hips fractures. Actonel has been shown to work quickly, reducing fracture risk within the first six months. Boniva has not yet been shown to reduce hip fractures, and that’s a concern. On the other hand, Reclast or Zometa increases bone mineral density. Besides this its effectiveness in reducing spine and hip fractures with the reduced spine fracture risk sustained over three years has been confirmed. According to the manufacturer, Reclast also reduces fractures of the wrist, arm, leg, and rib. Reclast has been shown to reduce mortality in people who have already had hip fractures.

Identifying the Right Osteoporosis Medication: The Dosing Options

The good thing about osteoporosis medication is that of flexibility. Upon consultation with your doctor, you can settle for taking the medication daily, weekly, monthly or get a once-a-year intravenous (IV) treatment in your doctor’s office. The choice is yours and below is a simple guideline for you:

Fosamax can be taken daily or weekly in pill form.
Liquid Fosamax can be taken weekly.
Actonel can be taken daily, weekly, or monthly.
Boniva can be taken once a day or monthly in pill form.
An intravenous (IV) form of Boniva can be given once yearly.
Reclast or Zometa is a once-yearly IV infusion treatment.

An IV infusion involves a needle in your arm and a drip bag just like you get in a hospital. While it may sound like a slightly extreme way to get a medication, it has its advantages. The IV drug goes directly to the bone, bypassing the GI tract entirely.

If you are worried of time it may take because of your busy schedule then you need not to be worried because the procedure is friendly and timely. To be precise the whole process would take about five minutes for Boniva and 15 minutes for Reclast and you’re done for the year. In a record of 15minutes you are done meaning that this is very ideal even to those people who may be concerned about time.

Identifying the Right Osteoporosis Medication: The Pill Regimen

When dealing with osteoporosis, it is not just about identifying the right osteoporosis medication but it also put the patient to task on the usage of such medications. Taking osteoporosis medicine in pill form for instance is serious business. You don’t just pop the pill and swallow. The patient must follow specific guidelines which may include:

Taking the drugs first thing in the morning and on an empty stomach.
You cannot sit or lie down after taking it.
You cannot eat or drink anything before or after the medication.
You must starve yourself for sometimes like 30 to 60 minutes to allow for the absorption of the medicine into the body.
When that time period is over, you can take other medications.

The longer the starvation, the better chances that the osteoporosis medicine will be absorbed. Your stomach has to be empty. You have to make sure there is no competition in the GI tract for the drug. You can take other medications later that morning but not before taking the osteoporosis medicine. This intense regimen is important because very little of the drug is actually absorbed by the body. The body absorbs only about 1% of the drug so you have to make sure you get the most from every dose.

Identifying the Right Osteoporosis Medication: Weighing the Options

When deciding about bisphosphonates, ask yourself these eight questions:

How frequently do you want to take an osteoporosis medicine?
Will you really remember to take it?
Will you follow the morning regimen for taking the pills?
Are you taking other medications regularly?
Do you have any GI problems?
Do you have difficulty swallowing?
Would you rather have a once-yearly treatment?

Doctor Dalal Akoury advices that pill-form bisphosphonates are not ideal for people with GI problems like gastritis or ulcers or individuals with serious esophageal problems like stricture. She emphasizes health facilities AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are in business of ensuring that patients absorb the drug. But if anyone has the conditions described above, they such may opt for an IV. Finally treatment is just the last resort. The best option would have been prevention. This is an area where doctor Akoury specializes on and you can schedule for an appointment with her for professional advice on the preventive approach today.

Identifying the Right Osteoporosis Medication: The best medicine for Osteoporosis to consider

Tag Archives: Raising Public Awareness